CP&DR

Housing Market Stalls, Evolves At Same Time

Jan 29, 2008

California, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Housing, Vol. 23 No. 02 Feb 2008

The California housing market crashed during 2007, and only true optimists and a handful of industry groups predict a turnaround this year. The halcyon days of the housing boom already seem like a long ways away.

But while the downturn has reached nearly every corner of the state, some markets are stronger than others. In particular, exurban markets are weak, while urban markets focused on infill development are relatively strong.

Eminent Domain Initiatives Qualify For June Ballot

Jan 24, 2008

California, CP&DR Staff, Eminent domain, Featured Articles, Vol. 23 No. 02 Feb 2008

An initiative that would prevent the use of eminent domain for economic development purposes and ban local rent control laws has qualified for the June ballot. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California Farm Bureau Federation are the primary proponents. In addition, a competing, more limited measure that would prohibit the taking of owner-occupied, single-family houses for economic development has also qualified for the same June ballot.

2008 Could be the Year Everything Changes: State Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target Land-Use Policy

Dec 29, 2007

California Environmental Quality Act, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 23 No. 01 Jan 2008

If California is truly going to reduce — in a meaningful way — its emission of the gases that contribute to global climate change, the state must change how it uses land.
That is the inescapable conclusion of virtually everyone who has analyzed the situation. But nearly every detail regarding how, when and who decides remains extremely uncertain at the start of 2008.

Reliance on Inclusionary Zoning Rises

Nov 29, 2007

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007, Zoning

With about half of the cities and counties in California facing a June 30, 2008, deadline to file updated housing elements, the often-controversial policy of inclusionary zoning is receiving renewed interest. Already, one-third of cities and counties have inclusionary zoning policies, and now other local governments — including Los Angeles, San Jose and Oakland — are considering the idea.

Auditor Questions State's Flood Program Spending

Nov 21, 2007

California, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Flood control, Vol. 22 No. 12 Dec 2007

The state Department of Water Resource (DWR) has received harsh criticism from State Auditor Elaine Howle for the department's administration of a flood protection corridor program. The auditor found that DWR lacked objective criteria for scoring applicants when it awarded $28 million in bond funds to five projects in 2001, and did not require mandated information from applicants when it awarded $29.1 million in 2003.

Committee Breaks Ice On Growth Management Debate

Oct 29, 2007

California, Featured Articles, Paul Shigley, Regional planning, Vol. 22 No. 11 Nov 2007

Growth management has been a nearly untouchable topic in the state capital since the 1980s. Only a handful of lawmakers and administration officials have been willing to discuss growth management, and then only indirectly.

New Homes Pay For Themselves, Say Homebuilders

Aug 28, 2007

California, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Housing, Vol. 22 No. 09 Sep 2007

New housing units provide financial benefits for local and state government, according to a new study prepared for the California Homebuilding Foundation. But some analysts are not ready to embrace the study or its conclusions.

AG, County Settle CEQA-Global Warming Suit

Aug 22, 2007

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, San Bernardino County, Vol. 22 No. 09 Sep 2007

San Bernardino County has agreed to deal with greenhouse gas reduction in its general plan as part of a settlement agreement in a high-profile lawsuit filed by the state attorney general's office.

Survey Demonstrates Conflicting Values On The Environment

Aug 21, 2007

California, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Vol. 22 No. 09 Sep 2007

Almost 30% of Californians name air pollution as the state's biggest environmental problem — far more than any other — and another 10% say the biggest environmental problem is global warming, which is related to air pollution. Furthermore, a significant plurality say the state government should do something about it, which suggests that there might be political tolerance for air pollution regulation

Yuba County Approves Controversial Housing Project

Jul 11, 2007

CP&DR Staf, Featured Articles, Housing, Vol. 22 No. 08 Aug 2007, Yuba County

The Yuba County Board of Supervisors approved the 5,100-unit Yuba Highlands project on Tuesday, July 10, after nearly seven years of planning and negotiation with developer Gary Gallelli. Now it appears the action will shift to the courtroom.